South Africa: The Kennedy Five Remanded in Custody Once More
southern africa |
repression / prisoners |
non-anarchist press
Sunday December 13, 2009 00:30 by Abahlali baseMjondolo - AbM
11 December 2009, Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement
Today the five members of the Kennedy
Thirteen who are still in
detention returned to court for their 7th attempt at
requesting bail. On each of the 6 previous occasions the state failed to
provide any evidence against the accused and the Magistrate postponed the
bail application to give the state more time to produce some evidence of
their guilt. On each case the state has failed to produce this evidence at
the next hearing. This has led Bishop Rubin
Phillip to call this case a
'travesty
of justice '.
Today the investigating officer and prosecutor failed to arrive at the court
hearing and, once again, the Magistrate granted the state a further
extension instead of throwing the case out of her court. The next bail
hearing has been set down for 22 January which will be almost four months
after the five were first arrested - four months in detention without any
evidence of guilt being produced by the state.
As usual there was organised intimidation from the ANC at court today. The
ANC even arrived at the court with the Abahlali baseMjondolo sound system
which was stolen when the movement was attacked and its office destroyed and
looted on the weekend of 26th
and 27th September 2009. AbM will lay a charge of theft against the ANC.
One of the Kennedy Five was assaulted in custody this week. The movement
will explore all means to secure the release of the five comrades who remain
in detention.
Last weekend we launched a new branch in Hillary. Our struggle continues.
For further information and comment please contact:
Zodwa Nsibande http://abahlali.org/taxonomy/term/1303: 082 830 2707
Mazwi Nzimande: http://abahlali.org/taxonomy/term/1555 074 222 8601
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